First: pray an Act of Contrition.
Then: My God, I offer you, for your glory, this Chaplet of Sorrows dedicated to the sufferings of your most holy Mother. I wish to meditate on her sorrows and share in them. I beg you, by the tears she shed in those moments:
“Grant me, a sinner, and all sinners, perfect contrition for our sins.”
(3 times)
On the large bead: one Our Father.
On the small beads: the Hail Mary.
Repeat for each sorrow.
In place of the Glory Be:
O most merciful Mother, imprint on my heart the wounds of your only Son.
First sorrow: I grieve with you, O Sorrowful Mother, for the sorrow your tender heart endured on hearing the prophecy of the aged Simeon. O my beloved Mother, by your heart so deeply grieved, obtain for me the virtue of humility and the gift of fear of the Lord.
Second sorrow: I grieve with you, O Sorrowful Mother, for the anguish your compassionate heart suffered during your flight into Egypt and your stay there. O my beloved Mother, by your heart so anguished, obtain for me the virtue of generosity, especially towards the poor, and the gift of piety.
Third sorrow: I grieve with you, O Sorrowful Mother, for the distress your loving heart felt when you lost your beloved Son Jesus. O my beloved Mother, by your heart so troubled, obtain for me the virtue of chastity and the gift of knowledge.
Fourth sorrow: I grieve with you, O Sorrowful Mother, for the shock that struck your mother’s heart when you met your Son Jesus carrying his cross. O my beloved Mother, by your heart so tormented, obtain for me the virtue of patience and the gift of fortitude.
Fifth sorrow: I grieve with you, O Sorrowful Mother, for the martyrdom your brave heart endured as you stood by Jesus in his agony on the cross. O my beloved Mother, by your heart so afflicted, obtain for me the virtue of temperance and the gift of counsel.
Sixth sorrow: I grieve with you, O Sorrowful Mother, for the wound your tender heart felt when the soldier pierced Jesus’ side with a lance and reached his beloved Heart. O my beloved Mother, by your heart so torn, obtain for me the virtue of brotherly love and the gift of understanding. I share with you, O sorrowful Mary, the sword of sorrow that pierced your heart when you saw your beloved Son Jesus lying dead in your arms.
Seventh sorrow: I grieve with you, O Sorrowful Mother, for the bitterness your gentle heart endured at the burial of Jesus. O my beloved Mother, by your heart so anguished, your strength failing under the weight of such great sorrow, obtain for me the virtue of diligence and the gift of wisdom.
